Ad Volarem Tax

Yes, it is legal. In fact, if you had purchased the motorcycle here, you would have paid sales tax upon the purchase, and still paid ad valorem taxes each year. The ad valorem tax is paid for the privilege of owning property. You may not like it, but it is legal. In fact, it's one of the oldest forms of tax in the United States. If you want to be able to avoid the ad valorem tax on your cars and motorcycles, you may want to sell the current one and buy a new one. Beginning this year, Georgia did away with its share of the ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles which were purchased after the law's effective date. You'll pay a tax up front but not the annual tax based on value. Vehicles you owned before the law's effective date, however, are going to remain subject to the ad valorem taxes as long as you continue to own them.